Election officials around the state are spreading the word that this is the last week to register to vote or change your party affiliation in the November general election.

The Genesee County Board of Elections is holding registration opportunities at the Town Hall in each town in the County and the City of Batavia this Saturday, as is required by law.

The Board of Elections is estimating a near-80-percent voter turnout rate in Genesee County for the Presidential Election. Richard Siebert is the Republican Election Commissioner. He says that the high voter turnout is expected because of the unique circumstances of this election.

“We’re expecting this to be an exceptionally strong year," Siebert said. "And we have pretty much ordered 85 percent of our registered voters so we have plenty of ballots so we can accommodate them. So we’re looking for an extra large turnout this year.”

Siebert says that many people only come out to vote every four years for the big presidential elections and some might not be familiar with the new voting system. That's another reason the Board of Elections orders more ballots; people have three chances to complete their vote.

Anyone mailing a registration form must have it postmarked by Friday. Town Halls (and for Batavia residents: the fire station on Evans Street) will be available from 2 to 9 PM this Saturday.